17944726. Receiver with Photonic Antenna Array simplified abstract (Apple Inc.)
Receiver with Photonic Antenna Array
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
Bertram R Gunzelmann of Koenigsbrunn (DE)
Nedim Muharemovic of Nuremberg (DE)
Ramin Khayatzadeh of Munchen (DE)
Receiver with Photonic Antenna Array - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 17944726 titled 'Receiver with Photonic Antenna Array
Simplified Explanation
The patent application describes an electronic device with a receiver that uses a light source to transmit an optical signal to an optical splitter. An optical combiner is connected to the optical splitter via parallel optical paths, with a phased antenna array containing antennas placed along these paths. Each antenna includes an optical modulator and an antenna resonating element, which can convert incident radio-frequency signals into electrical signals. Optical phase shifters adjust the optical signal, allowing the modulators to modulate the optical local oscillator signal with the electrical signals. The optical combiner then combines the modulated optical signals to create a combined signal, from which a demodulator can extract wireless data from the radio-frequency signals.
- Receiver with light source and optical splitter
- Optical combiner connected to splitter via parallel optical paths
- Phased antenna array with antennas along optical paths
- Antennas with optical modulators and resonating elements
- Conversion of radio-frequency signals to electrical signals
- Optical phase shifters for adjusting optical signal
- Modulation of optical local oscillator signal by modulators
- Combination of modulated optical signals by optical combiner
- Extraction of wireless data from combined signal by demodulator
Potential Applications
This technology could be applied in wireless communication systems, radar systems, and satellite communication systems.
Problems Solved
This technology solves the problem of efficiently combining and processing optical and radio-frequency signals in electronic devices.
Benefits
The benefits of this technology include improved signal processing efficiency, enhanced data transmission capabilities, and increased overall performance of electronic devices.
Potential Commercial Applications
Optimized Signal Processing Technology for Enhanced Wireless Communication Systems
Original Abstract Submitted
An electronic device may include a receiver having a light source that provides an optical signal to an optical splitter. An optical combiner may be coupled to the optical splitter over a set of parallel optical paths. A phased antenna array may have a set of antennas disposed on the optical paths. Each antenna may include an optical modulator disposed on a respective one of the optical paths and an antenna resonating element coupled to the modulator. Incident radio-frequency signals may produce electrical signals on the antenna resonating elements. Optical phase shifters may provide optical phase shifts to the optical signal. The modulators may modulate the optical local oscillator signal using the electrical signals. The optical combiner may generate a combined signal by combining modulated optical signals from the optical paths. A demodulator may recover wireless data from the radio-frequency signals using the combined signal.
